Cook: “We must remember the criteria for us all is that we are trying to sustain a foothold in the division and along the way we know it is going to be tough. Today was a tough day.”

Wigan Athletic boss Paul Cook said his side mastered their own downfall in many ways as they shipped four goals in defeat to Sheffield United on Saturday afternoon despite being well in the contest at Bramall Lane.

Reflecting post-match with iFollow Latics, Cook said:

“It was a difficult game to assess; we came away from home to a team that, by everyone’s admission – including my own, are very strong, especially here.

“Chris has put a team together that competes with the big budget teams in the league, without spending the money, and that’s great credit to Sheffield United.

“We have had so many good moments in the game but at the minute – especially away from home – there are issues in there that we have to iron out.

“We knew the league was difficult and we’re not down, but we want to get better. We know out there, we weren’t under pressure in the game but we conceded a goal and that can’t be right.

“We didn’t come under any great pressure in the game but we conceded four goals and they hit the underside of the bar for five, whilst we have had chances in the game too. The disappointing thing is that at home we can look so sound defensively but I have to stress that when we speak about defending, I mean the team, not just the defenders and the goalkeeper. If we are to have success in the league this year, then we have to iron out [the mistakes].”

Despite another defeat on the road in the Sky Bet Championship, Cook did urge for perspective as his side were beaten by the Sky Bet Championship leaders.

“We must remember the criteria for us all is that we are trying to sustain a foothold in the division and along the way we know it is going to be tough. Today was a tough day.

“We have had a smashing start and we have difficult games coming up that we know could see [this run] get worse, though the bigger picture for everyone says that we want to sustain our league status this year and people should never forget that.”